The Trip of le Horla Page #4

"The Trip of le Horla" by Guy de Maupassant is a short story that explores themes of existential dread, madness, and the supernatural. Narrated from the perspective of a man grappling with a mysterious and malevolent force, the story delves into the psychological turmoil and eerie experiences that blur the lines between reality and hallucination. Maupassant's signature style captures the protagonist's descent into paranoia, as he confronts the haunting presence of the Horla, a spectral entity that embodies his fears and insecurities. The tale serves as a reflection on the duality of the human psyche and the struggles against unseen influences.

								

ground, while the balloon struggles madly, like a wounded beast.

Peasants run toward us, but they do not dare approach. They were a long
time before they decided to come and deliver us, for one cannot set foot
on the ground until the bag is almost completely deflated.

Then, almost at the same time as the bewildered men, some of whom showed
their astonishment by jumping, with the wild gestures of savages, all
the cows that were grazing along the coast came toward us, surrounding
our balloon with a strange and comical circle of horns, big eyes and
blowing nostrils.

With the help of the accommodating and hospitable Belgian peasants, we
were able in a short time to pack up all our material and carry it to
the station at Heyst, where at twenty minutes past eight we took the
train for Paris.

The descent occurred at three-fifteen in the morning, preceding by only
a few seconds the torrent of rain and the blinding lightning of the
storm which had been chasing us before it.

Thanks to Captain Jovis, of whom I had heard much from my colleague,
Paul Ginisty--for both of them had fallen together and voluntarily into
the sea opposite Mentone--thanks to this brave man, we were able to see,
in a single night, from far up in the sky, the setting of the sun, the
rising of the moon and the dawn of day and to go from Paris to the mouth
of the Scheldt through the skies.

   [This story appeared in “Figaro” on July 16, 1887, under the title:
   “From Paris to Heyst.”]
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